carlcartee.com blog

New How To's for "First Love" and "Forgiven Forever"

2010-07-12T20:13:00.001-07:00

Check out these new "how to" videos for the songs First Love and Forgiven Forever

I hope you like them and that they help you lead the songs at your church!

New How To's for "First Love" and "Forgiven Forever"

2010-07-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Check out these new "how to" videos for the songs "First Love" and "Forgiven Forever"

I hope you like them and that they help you lead the songs at your church!

Free Stuff!!

2009-09-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

Of all the words in the english language, "free" gets a lot of face time and publicity. Well, once again, free is getting some props since greatworshipsongs.com is giving away me for free. My latest recording "Everything You Do" all the songs, all for free. (For a limited time). Have at it friends and I hope it points you to Jesus. Click the link and fill in all the blanks to get your free download. CLICK HERE greatworshipsongs.com/carlcartee

Let me know what you think about the music!

Blessings,

Elvis and MJ

2009-07-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

I was three years old when Elvis died.
The First Pentecostal Church had a flat bed trailer that we pulled into the parking lots of department stores to set up a little worship service. They called it the Gospel Wagon.
We were having Gospel Wagon one night in the parking lot of Nichols department store in Gastonia, NC. It was the late 70’s and I was wearing polyester. At some point during the worship service, nature called and my 3-year-old bladder was filled. So, I told Mama that I had to go potty and she took me into Nichols to use the bathroom. I did my business and we started to make our way back to the parking lot. Before were able to get out of the store though, we heard the manager come over the PA to make a special announcement. “Attention shoppers, we are sad to report that Elvis Pressley has been found dead. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Elvis Pressley has been found dead. It is a sad night for all of us.” As soon as the announcement ended, a wave of emotion swept through Nichols. I was only three, but I will never, never forget it. People started running, teenage cashiers began weeping at their registers, people were buzzing everywhere but seemed lost as to what they should do. I remember really clearly my mom taking me by the hand and leading me back out to the Gospel Wagon where we just continued worshipping and having a big time there in the parking lot. For her, Elvis died but the true and living God was still the same and we were still going to worship him.
Last week, just as I walked on stage to lead worship, someone whispered to me that Michael Jackson had been found dead. I loved his music so much and remembered just how amazingly famous he had become at the peak of his career. But before I could let myself get too sad, I remembered Elvis and his passing and how my Mom reacted. The moment reminded me that we’re all fragile and confirmed once again that our God is eternal. All things of this earth are passing away but not matter what, our response to Jesus is still the same, he is worthy, because he’s overcome the grave and hell. The death of MJ is sad and tragic for sure, but where else can we turn but to the Everlasting Savior when we are confronted with the frailty of life and the brokenness of sin. Jesus is our only true and lasting hope. Christ is worthy of worship in tragedy and at the highest peak of success: All of this ends, but He never changes.

Summer Camp Season

2009-06-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

The time has come for us to leave on our annual worship leading trip around the south east. Student Summer camps have been a part of our work for nearly 15 years. I was so blessed today to hear from a friend of mine who said that he works at a church with a great worship leader. He told me this guy was encouraged to lead worship at a camp I did when he was just 14. It makes me know that this work does have Kingdom value and lasts much longer than me. So here we go: pregnant wife, little kids and a blessed worship leader, knowing that God has a plan for me and for those I get to lead. Please don't forget to pray for us.

For Guitar Players

2009-05-31T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, here’s one for the worship leader/ guitar player goof-up files.
Upon finishing first service this morning, I removed my capo, which I used for the last song of the set and clamped it onto my head-stock (Note: I was playing my Tele). When the second service started, I picked up my guitar and started playing the intro to the first song when musical chaos broke out. My E string was way out of tune. So much so that I thought I was the victim of a saboteur. It was a step and a half sharp and nothing but sabotage could explain why a perfectly in tune guitar would instantly go so horribly out of tune. So for the whole first song, I played avoiding the E string. At the end of the first song, I made a joke about it, re-tuned and moved on. The rest of the set went fine until we get to the last song again. I remove the capo from the head-stock to place it on the neck. Once again, the E string is horribly out of tune. Ahhh!!! What is wrong with my guitar?! I almost speed dialed Randy Hughes right then and there. It was all one frantic, harmonic swirl of dissonance. Then it dawned on me: I was the saboteur, unaware. After the use of the capo in the first service, when I moved it from the neck to the head-stock, I accidentally clamped the capo down onto the E string, of the very narrow Tele head-stock. When I re-tuned after the second song I was actually tuning a “clamped string” (capo is still on the headstock at this point). When it was time to play the final song of the set again, I removed the capo from the head-stock to place it on the neck, releasing the E string, but now it’s sounding a half step flat. Chaos again. Ahhhh! Fortunately for me, Bill Wellons was mid-prayer and I had time to re-tune again and gather myself for the final song without subjecting the Holy Ghost and all of Brentwood to another round of tuning torture. What a funny sequence of events. I felt like I was Chevy Chase when he got his own talk show that time: Trying hard, but not quite sure what to do.

Inspire 09 Report

2009-05-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

For those of you who were there, you already know that we had a first class time at this year's Inspire Worship Conference. Our second annual event kicked off with registrants from 18 different states and 2 foreign countries (yes, we went international this year). Inspire International, a scholarship program for worship leaders across the globe, was launched at this years conference. We extended this year's award to Mrs. Joy King from Cape Town South Africa. It was such a great encouragement to hear her testimony and see what God is doing around the planet. Dave Buehring and Dr. Pete Sanchez joined me in a little preaching and teaching, Tommy Walker, Pocket Full of Rocks and the Inspire Worship Band led worship for the main sessions.
Once again God confirmed what he is doing in me by the encouragement of so many and the work of the Spirit in my heart. Pastoring worship leaders and encouraging them in their ministries is what God continues to add to this ministry. I'm blessed to be walking into this calling. It feels very much like an unknown country, but there is a light and a lamp for my feet.
Here are a few photo highlights form the 2009 conference.

Our birth announcement

2009-04-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we're having a boy!! Boy number three in the Cartee household, means my grocery bill goes up, but my prom dress expenses are zero. I am so thankful to God for three little warriors in this family. Heather and I announced her pregnancy on facebook, but I thought we'd let you see our good news here on the blog too. Enjoy.

Go Heels!!

2009-04-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

I have been a Carolina fan my whole life. Go heels Go!

Inspire Worship Conference!!! Early Bird Rate ends tomorrow!

2009-03-31T14:16:00.001-07:00

Hey people,
Registration is blowing up on the site for Inspire and it's because tomorrow is the last day for you to get your registration for the cheapest deal possible. After tomorrow, registration rates increase, so if you want to come for the best price, sign up before tomorrow. This years Conference is going to be awesome...we've gone international with our first signups. We have someone coming from the Netherlands and from South Africa!! I love it! To register go to inspireworshipconference.com
See you there, CC

Those Kids

2009-01-31T06:53:00.000-08:00

When we lead worship at Fellowship Bible, our weekend begins on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 for rehearsal and the first service. The next morning it starts around 5:30 AM to get the boys up and ready to be at church by 7 for sound check and another quick rehearsal.
The last time I was leading worship, my friend John Mays (playing bass that day) looked at my boys and said what a great picture they were. I had not noticed until he pointed them out, but they were indeed a unique sight. Both sitting on the front row of an empty sanctuary watching me prepare the band for the early morning service. Ezra in his car carrier looking sleepy eyed and silent was drifting off for a little nap. Oak, still in his coat and hat was eating goldfish from a Ziploc bag and watching Cars on his portable DVD player. The way John pointed them out was saying more about who they were than how they looked. They’re cute, but they are also those kids: ones who get drug to church every time the door is open and their life is wrapped up in the work of ministry. John and I both grew up as “those kids” and his comment called attention to something that I had casually over looked. These boys are church kids. Their impressions of Heather and me will have as much to do with being a part of the local church than anything else. We are Church people. We love the Church.
As I looked at the boys that morning it made me think about my own life. I wonder how much hell was held back from my life simply because I was never far from the people of God, the culture of prayer and the Bible.
I pray that when the boys grow up and can choose where they spend their time and devote their affection, that they will still be “those kids”.

52 Letters

2009-01-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

Happy new year! It's so much fun to see time fly while remembering that every second counts for something. I am a resolution guy. I love to make new years resolutions. I know they are targets for cynics, but I try to go about them a little differently. I like making resolutions that influence the future of other people, not ones to improve my abs or stop drinking so much Diet Coke. I am about 50 pages away from finishing the epic John Adams biography by David McCullough. As a huge player in America's fight for independence, John Adam's wrote letters to everyone. He used his pen to effect change in American leadership. He also exchanged a famously romantic lifetime of letters with his wife Abigail. Writing letters was one way he expressed his greatest passions. I love the idea of the old fashioned letter. Pens, paper, stamps and feelings are one of the best ways to connect intangible emotions with our senses. Not to mention, letters have ways of preserving sentiment and truth unlike any other communication (see The New Testament). So, inspired by John Adams and others like him, I declare 2009 the year of the letter. I'll write one a week for 52 weeks. Check the mail, you might be on the list.

The Christmas Concert

2008-12-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

I am leaving in the AM at 6 to head back to my hometown to do a Christmas concert. This will be our 11th year doing a benefit for the Salvation Army of Cleveland County NC. Admission is new toys and canned food per person. I can't believe it's been going on for 11 years and almost half of them after I had moved away to Nashville. I look forward to tomorrow. Seeing my friends, hugging my grandma and showing off my kids. There is so much I have to be thankful for. I can go home and hundreds of people will show up to hear me play. Don't think that's braggy, cause it won't happen anywhere else in America, but for tomorrow night, I'll play for my friends and I'll love every second. We'll give a bunch of stuff away to make needy and poor people happier this Christmas and worship our Savior. If you can come, it's in the Dover Theater @ Gradner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. Door @ 6:15, Show @ 7. I can't wait. Hope to see you there.

Leaving Something Behind

2008-11-18T08:04:00.000-08:00

My church has four worship leaders: Me, Jason Ingram, Ronnie Freeman and Jeromy Diebler. We’ve been eating breakfast together on Tuesdays at Cracker Barrell. We like to talk and get to know eachother better. A Few weeks ago, Jeromy brought all of us a copy of a devotional book that had become special to him: “A Guide to Prayer For All God’s People”. He told us about the book and that it had brought some excellent perspective into his devotional life. I loved that getting that book because, more than ever, receiving a book means my life is about to change and my mind is going to grow. I love it! This book, however, came with an extra special treat.
When we got up to leave the resteraunt, a lady from the table next to ours stood up, got our attention and pointed to the copies of our new book. She was beaming with a huge smile. You could tell that she had a secret and she could not wait to let it out. She took the copy of the book from my hands and said, “I heard you guys talking about this book and I just wanted you to know that my Dad is the author.” She was glowing, proud and probably filled with same emotions that all of us have when we are unexpectedly surprised with joy. That experience marked me. It made me crave to put that same expression on the face of my own sons. How many memories could I make by being a man my sons will love. How many more could I make by living a life that leaves a treasure behind. A treasure of the Kingdom , an incorruptible, eternal inheritance. I want to live that kind of life. I want my kids to hear about my contribution to God’s people from strangers. I want them to be proud of me. I want your kids to be proud of you. Let’s live so that can happen. Live to leave something behind.
And finally, for Mr. Ruben P. Job: Thanks for writing your exceptional book of prayer and if you were wondering, your daughter is really, really proud of you.

Get your copy of Mr. Job's book here

Nashvegas and the Cartee’s: 5 years together!!

2008-11-05T05:59:00.000-08:00

I love fall in Nashville because it reminds me of a landmark in my life: the time of year when we moved here. When I left North Carolina prompted by purpose and acting on faith (2 Thes. 1:11) God said don’t make another move for five years. No matter what happens or who calls or what does not go right, this is your home for the next five years. In that time, I have turned down a ton of jobs for worhsip leader positions around the country and my reason has always been the same: “I can’t go anywhere for five years, because moving anywhere else does not fit into what God said. I’m honored that you thought of me, but I’ll have to say no.” Some of those opportunities were really amazing, dream job scenarios, repleat with everything great about employment. But they went to someone else. Now, however it gets interesting. This is the fifth year and I know now that the door is unlocked and I can go if I want. I know that I am released. With hind sight I see how moving here was not career development but God making room in our lives to see him work. I’m so thankful that my last five years have been full of more dreams coming true and God moving mightily on my behalf than the rest of my life combined. What he started here five years ago has transcended my every expectation. It’s gotten the best of my imagination and I have stopped guessing what God might do next, it’s always better that what I plan. So, here’s to my sons, my church, my friends, songs, Inspire Worship Conference, happiness, peace and hope and the million other things God has brought me through. Thanks for five years God. What next?

Use your Gift!

2008-11-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

Use Your Gift!! (1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4:10)
Americans spend $80 billion a year on gift cards. Over 8 billion of that goes unused and unredeemed.
We had the most amazing worship service last night. One of our teaching pastors, Lloyd Shadrack was so courageous to start his message on gifts the way he did. There is always an intro video that plays before each sermon to give context to the series or book of the bible that we’re studying. The video played as usual, and then nothing happened. No lloyd. No Lloyd for like a minute. When you have a set schedule and use every second of the service for everything from music, prayer, and preaching to announcements a minute feels like a long time. But not as long as five minutes which was how long it had been when Lloyd who was sitting on the front row, gets up and walks out. A few minutes after that he came back in to sit down, like he had casually been to the bathroom. He made a cell phone call to arrange dinner with a friend after the service. He chatted with the person next to him about what to do, because he did no want to teach. After thirteen minutes of listening to him do nothing, he finally stood up and asked us how this had made us feel. People were eager to say they almost left or they were frustrated or some even confessed to being angry and felt cheated. What ever the spectrum people found themselves on all of us in some way felt unsetteled and incomplete. We were short changed. Then he said…”this is how it feels when someone chooses not to use their gift to benefit others for God’s glory.” His object lesson was brilliant because it taught a very effective lesson in a concentrated amount of time. When you are not using your spiritual gifts regularly, you leave a huge void. People and the church suffer. Lloyd’s gift to teach, unused, threw all of us into a tailspin and his inaction caused a ripple through the body.
We all have spiritual gifts. All to be used in the measure in which we have. When I don’t use mine, you suffer. When you don’t use yours, I suffer. Be who God made you to be and do what God made you to do…I need you!

Anniversaries and Holding Back the Power of Hell

2008-10-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Oct. 5, 1952 my grand parents got married. They were young, hip, well dressed and full of potential. The road laid out before them was as promising as it was uncertain but they forged ahead. They worked hard and stayed faithful. They are still remaining faithful to this very second. Not famous, rarely celebrated and certainly not making a name for themselves in a worldly sense. They raised four children. My grandfather collected a few sales trophies along the way. My grandmother taught school. They made it through all the tough times in a marriage. They endured hardships from the economy, politics, church, children, community and work. Their secret is one timeless and simple way of loving…just not giving up on each other. Never abandon the commitment, no matter what. I am not sure they ever read a book on marriage or went to a conference or took an online course, but I bet they could fill volumes on how to remain faithful. I’ve had the joy of watching them and as much as their love mystifies me, I’m am sure of this…they always placed value on each other. Each put the others interests in front of his/her own. They both contributed 100% of themselves to the relationship. Perfection eluded them like it does all of us, but their legacy is not perfection…it’s finishing well and doing the daily, little things it takes to build what I see as an empire of integrity and love.
Their life makes me reconsider all the choices I make that are motivated by career or money. It forces me to take stock of all that I do and ask what kind of shelf life it will have. Will the works of my hands endure? No. Will the affections of my heart and the way I love my family? Yes.
I just returned from a retreat where the topic was spiritual warfare. A very interesting topic, especially since the speaker did not give us ten ways to slay demons, but rather choose to focus on the little things we do everyday that hold the enemy at bay. Hiding the word of God in our hearts, preaching the gospel to ourselves and others, being faithfully and authentically involved in a church community, observing the ordinances of the church like communion and baptism and embracing joy inside this, often difficult life. All of these define the way my grandparents lived and it’s these little things that add up to a legacy. So, to my grand parents, who in their quiet and courageous way have held back hell for fifty-six years, I say thanks. Thanks for fighting such a faithful fight and doing so with such joy. I love you guys.

Lost Bird

2008-09-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

I was driving into Brentwood-Benson yesterday to write songs. I had just started to think and pray about my current spiritual situation. The last few days had been filled with this rampant attack on my mind. Temptation and distractions from ministry just started hitting me from every side. These lies came back to tempt me, calling me back to somewhere I had previously escaped from. Then I saw this sign in my neighborhood. “Lost Bird”. Wow. I do not own a pet, but of all the pets to own, I think birds might get the worst deal of all. The gift of flight is reduced to a caged existence lived only to amuse people in exchange for crackers and old newspaper. That bird is not lost, he’s free. I bet he sits up in a tree, reads that sign and laughs. He got his shot and took it…he’s free. He can fly again. He can see things from a higher place. He’s not coming back. Ever. Even though the old way of living might have been safer and more predictable, it was also the very thing that robbed him of who he was born to be. I’m not going back either…freedom is much too precious a gift to exchange for safety or comfort. I pray that when you see the sign with your name on it, calling you back to bondage, you laugh at it and savor the freedom of new life. “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full” John 10:10

Old photos

2008-09-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

Historical photography restoration is cool.

Worship In A Box

2008-08-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

I played a gig a while back where I was without the band and flying solo. I had even forgotten some of my gear and was trying to scramble and find everything I needed. I had my guitar, but that was about it. The worship leader for the church I was playing happened to show up just in time to offer his gear for my use. It was nice enough gear, but as he was explaining the guitar pedals that I’d be using, he pointed one out in particular and said… “This’un here’s awesome. I kick that thing in and the Holy Ghost just goes wild. It’s worship in a box.” Hmm… I never knew the Lord was so fond of reverb. I got a little annoyed and took off making an internal list of ways I should confront and correct this brother’s obvious error, but before I got to the part about me being so smart and him being so not, I heard the Holy Spirit say… “He thinks I need that pedal to move, but you think I need you and your smarty pants attitude to move. The truth is, the starry hosts were made by my breath (Psalm 33) so why don’to you both just pray and ask for humble hearts as you lead people into my presence.” Lesson learned and a friend earned, I humbly borrowed his gear. I did not use the pedal however, I was probably afraid of what might happen.

Oak Shows Promise...

2008-08-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of music videos where The Mighty Oak busts out on his "drum set". Keep rockin' little buddy!

Called To Music Ministry

2008-07-28T06:54:00.000-07:00

We’re home from camp and after about 15 years of doing this kind of ministry; I can truly say that this was one of our best years ever. The band was great, staff was great and I personally felt so good in my skin. Leading worship is unquestionably where I’m supposed to be... In the church, on the road, in the community and around the world… that’s still my calling. In light of the kind of ministry we do, there are a lot of students who get called into ministry, many into music ministry. I get a lot of music ministry questions and requests for advice on getting started, so here are a few tips that might help some of you who are called to full time music ministry. These principals have helped sustain my passion for God’s calling on my life.

1. Take your calling seriously. Do not give yourself an out. Abandon a plan B philosophy. If you’re called to music ministry, then go for it faithfully until you cannot physically do it any more. Ignore disappointment and negative influencers. The One who calls you is faithful (1 Thes. 5:23-24)

2. Practice and pursue excellence. 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. A little at a time goes a super long way. The real secret here is to use your brain. Challenging your skill on a weekly basis is essential to sparking the imagination. You’ll be amazed at how much more creative you become when you consistently practice.

3. Write your own material. Learn how to write songs and exercise your imagination for the glory of God. Don’t just copy others; make something for others to look to as an example.

4. Find a mentor, be a mentor. Always be under someone who can pour wisdom into your life. Always be kind enough to give what you know out to another.

5. Make music. As soon as you can, produce a consumable music product. CD’s, mp3’s, put it up on itunes… Whatever it is, just record something and make it available. It’s the only way you can be 1000’s of places at one time and it makes your ministry grow right where people are. Technology is way too cheap and accessible for you to be telling people they can’t consume your songs.

6. Be humble. Seek first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness, and everything else will be added to you (Matt. 6:33). Jesus was not a diva, he was a servant. Don’t demand honor, let it be a reward from those you serve with your music and ministry (Prov. 26:1). You define how you’ll be known; so write that definition “servant”. There is not a better model for the Christian musician. Here is the danger in a music career…as you go “up”; God conversely gets smaller amounts of space in your life. Stay humble. So, try to be like John the Baptist. Although he had all the trappings of a famous, influential, “out there”, artsy, rock star, he said, “I must decrease and He must increase”.

7. Plant yourself in the Church. The local church is the hope of the world and the institution Christ established on the earth as his bride. Let the end game of everything you do be to serve the church. Write to her, sing to her, love her humbly. The Christian music industry is not the hope of the world, put your efforts into serving the church and it’s interests (Jesus) before you chase after getting signed by a label that might not last into tomorrow. (This does not mean I would discourage anyone from forming a mainstream band that played clubs or stadiums or Vegas. My admonition would still remain the same however…love ands serve the church.

8. Play often. Take every opportunity you are given to make music to God’s glory. Especially in the early stages of my ministry, I saw great value in taking advantage of each chance to minister, not shrinking back from the opportunities presented to me. Along with serving regularly in my church, here are a few notable gigs…grocery store openings, numerous rest homes and a show where only 1 person showed up. (I played my guts out)

9. Memorize the Bible. There is little to explain about this, but much to be gained by the practice. Your mind, equipped with the Bible, is an amazing weapon against moral failure and other sin and a beautiful instrument of peace for the world around you.

10. Practice generosity. This would be the same for any ministry calling, but it’s often over looked, so I mention it here. Giving and specifically giving your money is a cornerstone of biblical behavior and the doorway through which blessing walks. Don’t ignore generosity or generosity will ignore you.

For other information or questions you have, please let me know. info@carlcartee.com

thanks so much for reading...CC

Epidemic Worship

2008-07-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have recently been reading The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell and it is a fascinating book. It has nothing to do with worship music, but it’s a study of human behavior and how the actions of a small group of influencers can tip any kind of behavior or trend into mainstream, epidemic proportions. One case study that has really fascinated me was about the horrible problem of suicide. The study found that when a suicide happens that gets front page attention in print or television, the rate of suicide in that area goes up by several percentage points (some times as many as six or seven points) after the initial “publicized” suicide. When Marylin Monroe committed suicide, the national average of self-inflicted death went up by around seven percent for a few weeks after her death. The same phenomenon happened with death of prominent rock star Kirk Cobain. The idea suggests that the public behavior of one influential person gives permission to a whole culture of people to follow suit. The actions of one influencer “tip” the actions of a culture.
Applied to worship teams, this concept has remarkable potential to impact the Kingdom and for the one who leads the way in expression of affection to our God this idea is challenging. Does the way you lead tip the dynamic around you? Are you the kind of influencer who carries a passion for Christ so contagious that is starts an epidemic? What about the way you lead drives people into an expression that is uniquely theirs, but has it’s roots in your influence. Sometimes all people are waiting for is the teacher to tell them it’s OK to make their move.
The nature of worship leadership comes with built in influence. Most musicians have been walking through the reality that such a public and people oriented gift creates. Some do it well and others do it horribly. Most of us have been in both places. Influence is obvious for leaders; the question is what are you going to do with yours? I challenge you to start an epidemic. Use the gifts of God and position of influence to tip worship over the edge in your community. The way you live your life may be the spark that lights the faith of those around you into blazing fire. Lead loud, calling those around you into the light of Christ…pointing the way from death to life. The way you worship could be the one point in time that God uses to start the next great outbreak of salvation and awakening. Be a tipping point for an epidemic of worship.

Creative Christianity

2008-07-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I attended a seminar on this topic during the camp where I am leading worship (excellent job Jeremy, Kaitlyn and Robbie!). It got me pretty fired up about some things that have been on my mind. Living creatively for the glory of God and how that idea could give flight to the faith of millions. Here is the thought: we’re built to imagine and our brains are designed to do so much more than sustain life. They are wired to bring things into existence. Because of our unique creative and imaginative potential, we have been designed to give birth to things that never existed before. Not reproduced things, but introduced things…something from nothing kind of stuff. It is the part of us the Bible refers to when it says we are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). You don’t look like God so much as you might your mama, but you surely are assembled with the capacities to think like a creator. Your imagination is what sparks you to act in faith. Every “what if” starts in your brain as an imagined thought and your faith is what brings it to an answer.

Every call of God starts with the Spirit of God speaking the rumors of potential into your mind. “Go, Send, Lead, Run, Fight, Fly, Sing, Preach, Give, Love, Plead, Risk, Change, Dance…” all of that starts in your head, and struggles toward to surface of existence, compelled by faith in the God who calls you…and remember the one who calls you is faithful (1 Cor. 1:9)

So, consider this as you live and worship creatively today…your imagination is the place where future greatness gets planted. It’s the soil where God sows influence and hope, revival and art, community and passion, all for His great glory. Your imagination unleashed for the glory of God is the most unstoppable weapon against the forces of darkness and by the same measure the most liberating force for the worshipping Christian. Bob Pierce imagined World Vision and that compassionate thought feeds, clothes and heals hundreds of thousands every year. Billy Graham imagined an evangelistic ministry that shared the Gospel with the world…now millions know Christ because a “what if” was answered. John the Baptist believed he was the fulfillment of an ancient prophesy, was not afraid to express what he felt from the inside out and he made a pathway for Jesus to take center stage. All of these were very imaginative ideas and wildly creative people.

Here are five tips on unleashing God’s potential for your life through your imagination.

Use it…let your brain in on what your heart comes up with and see how far “what if” can take you. Write a song or a book or a poem. Build a museum. Dream something and then do it.

Feed it…consume beauty. Fill your mind with things of great aesthetic value. Music, art, literature, sermons, songs, dance, heroism. Flood your mind with things already born of great imagination. Launch ye therefore from these!

Surrender it…abandon your safe places and default modes of thought. Explore new territory and test the boundaries of who you are now. Look beyond, to see a different potential for your life. Let go and fear not. (Psalm 27:1)

Engage it…your thoughts are meaningless until expressed. The old phrase, “it’s the thought that counts” was probably coined by a person who never bought birthday presents and failed to leave a mark on the world. Impact happens when what you imagine collides with how you live. That’s when you start seeing God’s glory revealed in your life for Him.

Defend it…the enemy wants to kill you and I think he always starts in your imagination. Envy, strife, corruption, lies, jealousy, hatred, indifference, greed and lust are all sins sown into the mind. Planted by Satan to subtly corrupt your imagination until who you are and how you live ultimately serves his interests…to shame the name of God. Stand firm…Eph. 6:13

Think creatively. Act courageously. See “what if” happen in your life.

Team Mulan

2008-07-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

I am leading worship at Crossroads Camp in Boiling Springs, NC and I played in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament with the camp staff today. Rain soaked, I walked back from the fields of battle a defeated man. My team went 0-3 to end my day early. As a truly competitive sportsman, I hate to loose at anything, but I ain’t mad. I even wish good will and many more victories to the ones who beat us and I hope they make it all the way to the finals. Team Mulan, (every team was named for a Disney princess) my team, was full of some world-class people and I was so encouraged to hear them talk to teammates and opponents. The spirit of competition was great and bested only by the spirit of community. These were great people to be around, balcony people as Heather calls them. These are the people that lift your spirits and encourage endurance. I asked several of them who they were or what they were into and I found it so refreshing to hear them turn to matters of faith and the Kingdom within two or three minutes of talking. It was not forced, but as casual and logically arrived at as Seinfeld talking about sarcasm. It’s as much a part of their DNA as it is something they’re into. My faith in Christ’s mission and call on my life has been inspired by my 0-3 teammates. DNA makes me express things that are at the core of who I am…I have blondy brown hair because it’s an expression of my core…same goes for my light eyes and the nose I have. All are expressions that I rarely give thought to, but they manifest themselves to the world around me and express details of who I really am inside. When what you are on the inside matches what you are on the outside, the space around you gets filled with the sweetest peace. Even in deepest adversity and stress the substance of character is revealed in how closely a person looks like their true self. I was tossing pies with some “true selfs” today and I loved who they were.

Thanks team Mulan for letting me watch you as you naturally loved, encouraged and equipped today. Nice DNA

A sip at a time...

2008-06-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

I had the fortune of parking beside this car when we went to a gas station/ McDonalds to celebrate Oak's 2nd birthday. The fact that I had my kids party in a gas station McDonalds is probably evidence to convict me of bad parenting, but hey, we had fun and there was a playground and we were an arms reach from beef jerky, fun dip and transmission fluid. Forget that. On to the car. I immediately noticed it when I got out of my own, pretty dirty, car, but this one was "next level" dirty. A fate not forced upon this car by a mub-puddle or paint spill, not even rust. As you see, the paint was in pretty good shape. No, this one was a Diet Coke at a time, sip by sip. It takes years to accumulate this much trash in your car. It takes subtle energy invested faithfully over the long haul. Way to go Mr. Neon driver...you are amazing. To all of us in pursuit of a full life, one little sip at a time.

Songwriting

2008-05-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.”

I did a Christian songwriting seminar @ Inspire ’08 that went really well. I joined songwriter Don Kock (In Christ Alone, Mercy Came Running and Basics of Life and other massive, Dove award winning songs) to talk about ways to think as a song writer. I thought you might like to see the talking points from this seminar. It’s basically a few ways to think as you improve your songwriting. Enjoy and write big!

Think Biblically

• The Bible is our foundation for truth in the Christian faith. It is the measure of every belief we have. Make sure it is the measure of every word you choose to write in a song.
• There is no better standard for content in writing Christian songs. If you can’t back it up with the Bible, it is not worth saying. This is the highest ethic in Christian songwriting.
• Knowing the Bible and being able to synthesize what it says into song is the first place to start for every worship writer.
Think Melodically
• Melody is king of music.
• Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Happy Birthday, Jesus Loves Me… All the hits are based on amazing melody.
• Your song has to have a good melody or it will not really work. Great lyric is important, but great melody is what makes your song stick with people…it’s what makes songs last.

Think Critically
• Always be willing to criticize, edit and remodel your work.
• The best songs are not written, they are re-written. Toss your work out to your peers or competitors. Not your grandma who loves everything you do, but someone who is well acquainted with Proverbs 27:6…”faithful are the wounds of a friend”
• Don’t fall in love with your original idea…let it breathe and see where you might land on the second or third try!

Think Creatively
• Be original when you write. Pay respect to your influences without ripping them off. I have written enough mediocre Steven Curtis Chapman tributes to know.
• Originality will distinguish your songs from the rest.

Think Consistently
• Collect everything that could be used in a song. Sayings, articles, thoughts, melodies
• Always keep something with you to record your collection. Note pads, voice recorder, leave your self a voicemail…what ever it takes, but always be ready to trap the music.
• Listen to people pray. I have written more songs from listening to old people pray than any other source. Listen to old people pray…remember what they say.
• Raise your sense of awareness when it comes to gathering information. Listen with your ears on every time you can. Most people talk in “song hooks” and say things that make great songs without even knowing it…be ready for that.
• Don’t wait for Inspiration…train it to show up when you want it. Waiting for inspiration is like waiting for the perfect church…if it does emerge, it won’t last long, so you have to be the one to make it great. Train your inspiration/ muse by putting it to work on a daily basis. Write, Write, Write…do not wait. Write. Read “On Writing” by Stephen King
Think Collectively
• Invite others into your experience. Community is always stronger than solo. Your songs have double the power to get heard because, they are backed by a team and not a one-man band. Two heads are better than one.
• Co-write as much as you can to improve your end result.
Think Responsibly
• You are charged with putting words about God and the Christian experience into people’s mouths. Songs are uniquely capable of sticking with people, so make sure what you say holds water. Make sure what you put in people’s mouths is nutritious and delicious.
• Exhaust yourself to make your music and your lyrics represent the clearest truth. Do not settle for the easy way out.

Think Globally
• Write things that people everywhere would want to say. Global themes are common to everyone, so write something that connects on numerous levels. Personally and globally…
Think Poetically
• Use imagery and word pictures with your lyrics…”the leaves were so green” BAD “the leaves looked like emerald drops” BETTER
• Think about rhyme as much as you can. Never write something so that you force it to rhyme and the expense of making clear sense or being conversational.
• Avoid Yoda Speak to fit a rhyme in. “You always have been good, me you understood”. BAD This is not how people talk…write conversations. “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, it’s all about you, it’s all about you Jesus” BETTER
• Avoid passive voice: form of "to be" + past participle = passive voice. “Why was the road crossed by the chicken?” BAD Use the most direct and conversational word orders that you can…it promotes clarity and drives home you point better

Think Courageously
• Say something that breaks a bond when you write.
• Don’t waste words on something that has already been said or more importantly don’t waste your time adding to the pantheon of things that have been poorly said. Songs that have substance always have an element of risk to them and they always last.
• Don’t be afraid to call people to action, challenge thought, encourage passion, ignite courage
• Be proud of your songs. If God gave them to you, it’s either because he did not want them anymore (ha) or he wanted you to use it to bless someone else. Be gracious about it, but play your songs for people…music is for people and not for private personal consumption. If you have been given the gift to make it, never keep it to yourself and never be ashamed of it. Treat your songs like you treat your kids. Show them off every chance you get in public, but in private, do the disciplined, consistent work it takes to get them ready to leave the house and not embarrass you.

Smooth

2008-05-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

I met a guy a few years ago named Smooth. Odd I know. I first met him through e-mail and on the phone when we talked about some web-site stuff. He is a web designer. I imagined a guy, hold up in his basement, pounding out code in between games of World of War Craft and Slurpee gulps. It turns out that the name is a family thing given in boyhood and not something hastily chosen as a screen name for AOL.

Fortunately, when i did meet him in person, he was a really nice guy. Once I got to know him a little more, it turns out Smooth prays for people...he fights for them and when I need it most, I usually get a perfectly timed voicemail from Smooth that tells me he has been praying for me. My most recent voicemail from my seldom seen friend went a little like this. "Hey Carl. It's Smooth. I am driving my wife's car today and she had your CD in the player. I heard it and started praying for you. See you soon." You cannot put a price on a man who has prayer instincts. Get one in your corner if you can. A brother, who you may not even see or talk to a lot, but has connected with you enough to know when to lift you up and follow that up with a call. I have about four guys in my life like that and everyone of them has helped me bear unnamed burdens and unnumbered hurts. Thanks Smooth. Thanks.

Catching (huff) Breath (huff) can't believe it all!!! (huff)

2008-05-22T12:05:00.001-07:00

Finally back on the ground after Inspire 08, and just let me say, I have way more to share than one blog than can possibly digest, so I'll promise to break it down a few entries at a time. First of all, we ended up with 87 who came (and four who bailed out at the last minute) and 20 or so staff, presenters and special guests. This was a miracle in itself, since it was our first conference and we had never marketed something like this before. As He has always done in the past, God moved mightily on our behalf as we cried out to him. He has been savior over and over again through the whole process and he has been faithful and he has been the defender of the weak and he has qualified the unqualified and he has been justification and redemption and majestic and creative and a million things more. I am just amazed at how powerfully he worked in our midst.

We had great reviews and evaluations from everyone and the majority of the complaints were wishing the conference lasted longer. Good news is, that we'll be doing it again in a year. I am taking a day this week to get away and pray and seek God for clear direction on this new path he has opened up for me. I never expected things to go the way they have, but God revealed a new facet of my calling this past week. I have been a David (1 Samuel 17), (under-qualified, unexpected and under the radar) but used by God is specific and unique ways to lead his people. But now I see I must add a Samuel to that picture (1 Samuel 16)... ones who seeks out the under-qualified, unexpected and under the radar and calls out greatness in them, lay my hands on them and anoint them...pour my life out for them, getting them ready to be giant killers. Warriors in worship. This is what I personally took away from the conference, and I think God moved as powerfully in the life of every person there. It was amazing.

Be on the look out for an announcement about all the recorded content from Inspire 08. We'll get everything we can up on Youtube and our soon to be launched Inspire Worship Pod Cast.

If you prayed for this conference, thanks. If you came, thanks. If you think we've only just begun to see the power of the risen Christ at work, you're right.

We're Here!!!

2008-05-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

We're on the ground at Inspire '08 and it is going great. it has been my dream for over a year to see this baby delivered and it's finally here and almost out! Yesterday during set up, God won a major victory for us in the 11th hour...simply amazing battle that I had resigned as lost. Last nights service was incredible and overwhelming...I could not have asked for more and I was was pretty greedy with my prayers. Aubrey Spears was a perfect choice for the message and his passion was so engaging!! I love that guy. Tonight is Christy Nockels leading worship and Steven Furtick preaching. I am looking forward to a night off and a night to worship without a "to-do" list.
More tomorrow on tonights service...see you soon.

Oak Breaks Bad. Heather Stays Awesome.

2008-05-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

My otherwise sweet and loving Oak has taken to his new brother like power takes to corruption. In the last four days, I have seen Oak abandon everything I have taught him about kindness and virtue, to fully embrace the life of a boy bent on abuse. He will stop at nothing in his bid to destroy his brother. So far he has…hit him with a flip flop (from across the room), them hit him in the forehead with a spoon, then went traditional with the fist a few times, followed up by a kick here and there. What happened to my son!? He is now one of the meanest kids I know. I still love the little guy more than I ever have, but if he leaves his mother in tears one more time; I might send him to camp a little early this summer. He has gotten the best of my patience on several occasions this week, but other powers are at work to make me stop and take note of how it’s really done.
Enter Heather: my wife, Oak and Ezra’s mom. She is in the midst of a truly difficult conflict. Having to give, literally, round the clock care to our three week old Ezra and lamenting the fact that our self-feeding, walking, talking, strong will asserting, two year old gets less concentrated attention from his beloved mommy than he once did.
I love watching her navigate these waters. Both avoiding the rocks of favoritism toward either boy and steering clear of the emotional explosions that lay just beneath the surface when tested by Oak’s surly behavior. My wife is remarkable. She nurses Ezra and plays with Oak all at the same time. She makes lunch, reads stories, plays trucks, makes “ha-cun” (also known as pop-corn) and changes diapers by the “load”. (Especially Ezra who has developed a unique “tell” as to when he will use the bathroom…it’s right after he has been freshly diapered. It rarely fails…I’d say 88% of the time.)
While she is doing all that, she looks good doing it. Always getting ready in the AM and looking her best, even if she is at the house all day. She has a standard and she keeps it, even if she is not celebrated or awarded for the effort. She could even expect to have her hair clumped with oatmeal for the effort, but she does it anyway…because she’s amazing. While I am at it, nothing is better than the sound of your wife praying for your sons and blessing them with a future and imparting a vision for their young lives.
So on this weekend of honoring the institution of motherhood, I will throw my hat in the ring and say that Heather Cartee is bearing the burdens of raising very young boys with patience, tenacity and great wisdom…all the while looking hotter than ever.
I love my wife and am honored to see her do her thing. It’s like watching one of the great masters at a really young age…before they were known by the world, they were know by only a few, but those few got a glimpse into greatness. The work she is putting into our boys will come to light, one day, through their own contributions to the Kingdom. They are going to be great, because my wife is great.

Great job “Heb”. Happy Mothers Day! I love you.

P.S.
Oak,
Be nice to your brother…he is growing faster than you and probably has an internal score that is kept now, to be settled later.

Ezra Stone Cartee

2008-04-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

Well here he is…Ezra Stone Cartee, Oak’s little brother and our second son. He looks like Mr. Magoo and weighs a respectable 8.8 lbs., not that baby weight makes much of a difference. It’s always very important to tell it, but I do not know what people do with that information after they get it…other facts include a 21” length, an 11:50 AM birth and little to no hair. Heather was a she-warrior…two pushes and out! She’s so incredible and already loving on Ezra like a super mom. They are both healthy and doing fine.

The name Ezra means “help”. In 1 Samuel 7, after the Lord gave Israel a great victory over the Philistines, Samuel took a big stone and set it up in the place where God saved the day. He called his Ebenezer, which means “stone of my help” and it was a reminder to God’s people that he had been and will be faithful.

The blessing we prayed over the life of Ezra Stone Cartee is that he will be used to remind God’s people of his faithfulness and to point their lives to the glory of our great King Jesus. We’re so proud and thanks so much for your prayers.

Love,
Carl, Heather, Oak and Ezra

Inspire '08 Early Bird Registration Ends Monday!!!

2008-03-29T07:13:00.000-07:00

I know you might be busy, but if you want to save on your Inspire '08 (America's Most Amazing Worship Conference) registration costs...it is my duty to remind you that early-bird registration ends Monday March 31 @ mid-night. There will be no further extensions of this offer, so if you want to come at this price, sign up before midnight on Monday. The conference is filling up fast and this week has been especially wild, so if you want to come, get in now before you mess around and ruin your destiny!! The conference is going to be amazing!! Absolutely amazing!! Love you...CC

Award Winning Photo

2008-03-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

I got this picture from a friend who had promised to pray for me everyday. After sharing a burden with him that I was bearing, he did not hesitate when he said, "I will be bearing this burden with you, everyday. You can count on it." I could almost feel it lift in that same second. When i got this picture a few days later, letting me know he had made himself a reminder to stick with his commitment, I never felt stronger or more capable of making it through to victory. This is what community is all about. This is the only way to fight and the only way to win.

Hebrews 10:24 & 25
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Guatemala '08

2008-03-17T19:57:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Guatemala. I was simply amazed by the conference I was leading worship for and overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone involved (intermissions.org). This thing was first class all the way. I hope our Inspire Worship Conference is half as good. I am praying right now that they’ll ask me back again.
One of the highlights of our trip was climbing Mt. Pacaya, one of Guatemala’s active volcanoes. After our brisk hike was at the halfway point, our local friend told us about a scientist who studies the volcano everyday. Just the day before the scientist had told him that it’s about to erupt soon. This was said casually, in the same way you would say that a song was pretty, or that it might rain. The casual tone aside, I started thinking. Hiking that volcano was the equivalent of walking around on the top of a nuclear warhead. A warhead that was armed, deadly and controlled not by the whims of war and leaders, but simply by the laws of nature. In order to maintain the balance of geology, this thing was going to blow up and could go off like 100 atomic bombs. With great and deadly power gathering strength just beneath my feet, I was hiking around like so many other tourists. I gathered perspective from several different spiritual observations…1) the thing that is the deadliest and most destructive in my life usually lies quietly beneath the surface of what I think to be safe. 2) The Creator is fierce. All that power and energy was terrifying…there was not one person on that mountain that did not instantly respect and immediately yield to the power. How much more amazing is it that the Creator became the Savior. Wow. 3) You have not had a toasted marshmallow until you toast it over some lava. Enjoy the pics.

"Here I Go" (The Full Record) in Family Christian Stores Nationwide!!

2008-02-18T19:49:00.002-08:00

Family Christian Stores all over the country are about to put the full length version of "Here I Go" out on the shelves Feb. 26th.
It's really cool to see major retail chains working directly with artists. This thing has been in the works for a while, but a few months back, the major retailer asked me to put 4 new songs with the already recorded EP so they could release the full length record exclusively in all their stores!!! I am so excited about this opportunity, so head here to find the closest Family Christian Store to your house.

Super Bowl 42!!

2008-02-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

The boy will be called Plaxico.

Ultrasound results...

2007-12-12T12:57:00.000-08:00

Ultrasound pictures confirm that my wife is preggers with another little boy! I am so excited about this, as it also revealed the boy is healthy and all his parts are in the right place. Thank God. We even checked out his little baby skull to make sure it's not messed up like his brother's (see previous blogs on Oak's skull surgery). All's well on the skull front too. Oak's drum prowess will hopefully be accompanied by a bass playing brother, fulfilling my dream of having a rhythm section that truly will work for food and "because I said so"...no offense to Jon and Matt, my current rhythm section. Love and Merry Christmas to all...

Be Faithful...

2007-11-10T10:14:00.001-08:00

Be Faithful

As the readers know, I just got back form Peru. We had a great trip, made a lot of new friends and the blessings flowed both ways while we were there. I’ll get to that story later, but first I want to share something with you that happened the day before I left the country.

As a matter of promise, I always leave a musical seed (a musical instrument) everywhere I go outside of the US. I plant it, praying that the instrument will inspire those who use it to worship for the glory of God. My plans for Peru were much the same, except for one problem… I did not have the money to buy an instrument. I had it in one sense, but it was not the most financially responsible thing to buy an instrument at that point in time. I had almost talked myself into not sowing the seed, but the Spirit was coaxing me to rethink my decision. I knew I needed to get an instrument to give away. I actually knew exactly what I needed after talking to the contact person for the trip. She knew of a need for a saxophone. A saxophone…wow…they’re very expensive. I knew that and I don’t even play sax. Anyway, I obeyed the Spirit and grumbled all the way to the music store around the corner form where we live. “If they have a sax that I can remotely afford, I’ll get it,” I said to myself.

While I was walking into the store, the Spirit was just saying to me…be faithful…be faithful…be faithful. To me this has always meant, obey God in the things you know to do and never change course because of varying circumstances. Honor what you know to honor and let God deal with the short term, unseen things that try to distract us. “Be faithful”.

Well, as you could guess that they had a sax that I could remotely afford. I bought it, prayed over it and said “God, you know where I am, so meet the needs of my family. I buy this instrument for your glory and let it be used to build your Kingdom.”

Five minutes after buying the sax, I’m in Wal-Mart running and errand for Heather. My phone rings and it’s Steve (my manager and royal potentate of Blair Artist Management) Steve informs me that a big company has just ordered a ton of CDs from me to put in their stores around the country (more on that later too). In five minutes I went from faith to fruit and God filled in the blank that had worried me moments before as I paid for the sax. I am totally not kidding you…it happened just like that. So basically the sax was already paid for when I was buying it. Tell me that is not eight ways awesome!!

If that story sounds braggy, it’s braggy for the glory of God and a reminder of his loving kindness toward his people. Be faithful in what you know, because God is always faithful in what he knows. Jesus never fails…thanks be to God.

Crossroads Winter Conference

2007-10-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

Hey guys I want to let you know about an amazing event that I have been a part of for several years now. It's Crossroads Winter Conference and it is happening this January over MLK weekend. Some of the best times of worhsip I have ever been a part of were during this conference, so please check it out and register today. I'll be leading worship with the band and the incredible evangelist Clayton King will be preaching. Hope to see You there and here is all the info.

CROSSROADS WINTER STUDENT CONFERENCE (6th-12 grade) &
CROSSROADS COLLEGE AND YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE (ages 18-35)
JANUARY 18-21, 2008
GATLINBURG CONFERENCE CENTER
GATLINBURG, TN

A conference for a generation with a heart for the world, the gospel, the word and the community of the Kingdom. Challenging and Biblical preaching, workshops that stretch the heart and the mind, and genuine Biblical community with people following hard after Jesus Christ. Inter-denominational. Informal. Intense. And FUN.
www.crossroadsworldwide.com
www.claytonking.com
704-434-2920

Big Big News from camp Cartee!!!

2007-10-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

Wow! There is a lot of stuff to get out to you in a short time...

1. INSPIRE 08!!! it's a worship conference that Heather and I are hosting May 14-16, 2008 in Gatlinburg, TN. To find out more about it, go to www.inspireworshipconference.com, sign up to be there and come get inspired to be the best worship leader you've ever been. It's going to be great!!

2. My wife is going to have baby number two!!!! You heard it right kids, alert the media, sound the alarm. We're going to have another baby. Heather is due on April 29, 2008. That's just 9 days before Oak's 2nd birthday and 15 days before the start of the previously mentioned conference (www.inspireworshipconference.com). Please pray for us...we're going to have a busy Spring, but I have never been more excited about the future. God is setting a grand stage for his glory.

More later,
Love,
Carl

Testimony of the Year!!!

2007-08-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

As a songwriter, you live to hear the stories of God using your music to bless the lives of his people. I was forwarded this e-mail this morning. It was sent to Steven Furtick, senior pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte. Steven and I wrote a song called Ready To Be Restored and the song intersected with a woman’s story and helped point her to Jesus…I could not stop crying the first time I read this. I now have an answer for the question "does what I do matter"...thank you Jesus!

(The Testimony of Teri Miller)
I will try to make this short and sweet, but I'll probably only be able to
follow through with latter the of the two. I am Teri Miller. I am 33 years
old and I have never gone to church. Never known Jesus. Never known God.
Definitely don't know the Bible.

I have a friend, Kirsten Bynum. Kirsten and I have been friends for almost
20 years. Kirsten has always gone to church. Known Jesus. Known God.
Kirsten has always, always asked me to come to church with her. I've always
put her off, coming up with different excuses each time. Who needs church?
It messes up my Sundays.

Several months ago, I noticed a wedge developing between me and my friend of
20 years. Concerned about this, I asked her if she noticed what I was
noticing. Not only did she notice it, she said it was intentional. Scared
to death of what was going to come out of her mouth, I asked her why. Her
response? "Teri, I have been waiting for the right time and the right way
to
approach you with this. I love you and that's why I
need you to know Jesus. I
need to know that you are saved and I need to know that I don't have to
worry about your salvation. I am not doing my job if I don't help you."
There was a different tone to her voice than
in the past, so I knew she meant business. This was more than just "come to
church with me." I
thought to myself "wow, she
really cares about me - that's pretty cool". Let me just tell her I'm going
to church with her to appease her. That will get her off my back about
going. Because who needs church? I've been just fine without God.

Then, I realize that we have to haul ourselves all the way to Porter Ridge
High School in Union County. At a high school? Really? You want me to
come all the way over there for church? I'm in the University area in
Charlotte and you want me to come all the way over there? To watch a
preacher on a screen? Really? I definitely don't need this church.

I used to laugh at Kirsten because she would say that she didn't want her
son to be born on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning because she
didn't want to miss church. Miss church? What's the big deal? Church is
boring. If you need some churching - turn on the tv and find a preacher -
open your bible and
read a couple of pages - but who cares if you miss church one
Sunday morning? Who needs church?

So.....on Sunday, June 10th me, my husband and our two children packed up
for our long haul to Union County for church. A parking crew? Smiling
people
at church? "Hi! Welcome to Elevation" screamed at us from every direction.
What? People want to be
here? They've got to be drinking the kool-aid.

Sunday, June 10th changed my life forever.

The sermon we heard was week 4 of Deep. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed
the worship and sermon, I was still skeptical. I've never needed church,
why do I need it now? So I came back the next week to see last week was a
fluke. I felt the same way this week. So I came back the next week. And
the next. And I haven't missed one since.

This Sunday morning, August 19, 2007 I accepted Jesus Christ into my life as
my personal Lord and Savior. There was no pomp and circumstance - so I hope
it's official! I was alone in my car on the way for my first day of
volunteering
for the first time guests. I was playing "The Sound" cd and a song began.
It was a song that I've heard over and over again, "Restored" - but just
like page 23 for you - this song touched me in a way that I did not expect.
Tears were streaming down my face before I knew what was happening.
"Healer, come and make me whole. Make me over. Here in this moment.
Abandon my will. I am broken and poor...ready to be restored" It was
at that moment, sobbing, that I said a prayer out loud in my car asking
Jesus
to enter my life and my heart and help me to be more like Him. At our small
group
tonight, I asked Kirsten to pray out loud with me about my decision - so as
to make
it a little more "official"! I also wanted her to know that she didn't need
to worry about my salvation any more.

Home From Camp

2007-07-31T07:08:00.003-07:00

I don’t know exactly how it happened, but I’ve been going to summer camp for the last 13 years. I am well into adult hood, way too old to be there, but some how I am drawn in. I added it all up and I have been to camp about 115 times in 13 years. That’s in weeks… yes... 115 Monday through Friday weeks. That figures out to be 575 days. A full year and seven months. That’s a lot of camp. A lot of guitar strings. A lot of revolving door band members. Many songs learned and forgotten, many written and forgotten, some remembered and forgotten again.
I have never counted all this up before, but I wonder if it’s being wearier than ever of sleeping on college dorm beds.
As I look back over these past 8 weeks of this summer, I still have the same feeling as I did when I led worship for my first camps out in Colorado and West Virginia. I loved every minute of it. There are few things that give my spirit a lift more than seeing hundreds of people sing songs to our great God.
So, as I always do at this time of the year, I ask myself… was it worth it? Was it worth all this windshield time in my van? Did I do something worthwhile? Is there eternal value in this ministry?
Well, I got to watch over 400 students obey the gospel of Christ this summer and who knows how many more God will bring to life by the seeds we planted. I can’t get enough of that and it’s worth every day I’ve invested. It’s not for me to wish I were somewhere else or get cynical because I am old and still going to camp. Jesus calls me where he wants me to go. If I go elsewhere before God calls me, I’d be arrogantly rushing into places I don’t belong. Who needs another arrogant musician nosing his way into where he does not belong?

In case it's forgotten, below is a set list from one of the weeks of camp. (*= original composition)

Monday PM
The Sound*
Everlasting God
Your Grace is Enough
Clinging To The Cross
Jesus Paid It All
Glorious Impossible*

Tuesday AM
Not To Us
Let The World See*
Unfailing Love*

Tuesday PM
You Never Let Go
Best Of Me*
Mighty To Save
Trust In You*
Amazed By You*
King Of My Soul*

Wednesday AM
Mighty To Save
Glorious Impossible*
You Never Let Go

Wednesday PM
Not to Us
The Sound*
King Of My Soul*
Honestly*
Ready To Be Restored*
Clinging To The Cross

Thursday AM
Your Grace Is Enough
Here I Go*
Unfailing Love*

Thursday PM
Best Of Me*
Everlasting God
Thanks*
Ready To Be Restored*
Glorious Impossible*
Trust In You*

Friday AM
Mighty To Save
The Sound*
Let The World See*

worship as evangelism

2007-07-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

OK.
I was working on a few hours sleep. I was nervous that I would goof up the service. I was not sure my guitar amp was turned on until I tried to play the first chord. Confirmation: amp not turned on, no sound coming out, audience silent and bored.
"Alright everybody lets worship."
This was the scene a few nights back as I walked on the stage to lead an audience to the throne of God. I was not sure how to get there myself. But, before I walked on stage, I prayed that God would make something out of the music and use it for glory bigger than me.
After mumbling through the set and going back to my seat, I though, “I hope that was not as bad as I think it was.”
When the service was over I was standing at my CD table when a big 6’5” dude came up and asked to speak to me. Here is what he said. “When I saw you and your band leading worship tonight, I saw something in your faces that I knew I needed, but did not have. Your worship, led me to Christ and I became a Christian tonight… because of your witness.” Later in the week, this same guy surrendered to God’s call into full time Christian ministry. Wow.
Lesson learned: My emotions, moods, amount of sleep, energy or circumstances have nothing to do with God’s ability to use me. If I’m bouncing off the walls or falling on my face, it’s God’s work in me that brings about miracles. My only contribution is availability and obedience. Ask God to use you in spite of the way you feel. Ask him to lift you up beyond the natural. Ask for miracles.
I thank God for using me that night. Please pray for us that this kind of thing happens every night we play.

Holding me up...

2007-06-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

I love leading worship. Using music to point people to Jesus. It’s especially good when I see something in the audience that leads me into worship. Those moments are wonderful. I get to receive, while someone else in Christ’s body points me to Jesus. It happened Memorial Day weekend at Fort Caswell on Oak Island, NC. I was leading worship for the Providence Baptist Church singles retreat. (If you live in the NC triangle area, you should check it out…pray.org, one of the best churches in the country)
While on stage the first night, we kicked into a tune and the place was ready to roll. Worship made sense from the crowd. It was believable. They spoke the language like they were born into it. I was excited to be worshipping with these people. I knew this event would be well worth my time.
About three quarters of the way through the first song, I noticed something unusual. One guy in the front row was behind another guy with his arms around him from behind. I have gotten pretty good at doing one thing while thinking another on stage. This was a time when I put that skill to use. “What’s going on there? Zoom in for a closer look.”
After I stared directly at the two men, I realized why they were standing that way. The man in front was unable to stand on his own because of a physical handicap. The man with his arms around him from behind was holding him up so that he could stand in worship. Both of them had eyes shut, mouths open, just singing to the top of their lungs (let that settle in your mind…). I have seen a lot in worship services around the world, everything from fights to people getting healed. Seeing this tops all the rest. This is what Jesus does and what he calls us to do. It is the perfect picture. It almost sounds made up to me as I type it, but It’s true. I saw it.
Thank God for your friends. Hold them up when they need you. Worship with them through every fire. This is where you find life and in nothing else. The songs don’t count unless they inspire something greater. The music and the motions are empty if they don’t produce a tangible fruit.
I have the image of those two warriors seared into my memory and I thank God every time I see it. It’s leading me to worship and teaching me that the journey does not always take the same roads. It’s not a musical, it’s an action movie with a good sound track. It’s not a one-man show, it’s each of us holding one another up.
Here is a project for you, dear blog reader. Try to connect your worship of God with an action toward your fellow man. Those watching your humble work will be refreshed…take it from me.

In the studio at last!!!

2007-04-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

It’s my pleasure to announce that I hit the studio today after a long and restless abscence. I have been in studios a lot lately, but working on other people’s stuff. Today, I worked on my own offering for the music loving masses. A six song EP, due out by the end of May. It's still one of the most rewarding things I get to do and oh how I love to see songs finally lake their way onto the hard drives (bass and drums at least).
Nathan Nockels (Watermark, Matt Redman and Passion Band) served as the producer for the session and will be working with me through the whole process. We tracked at Bridgeway Studio’s, Franklin, TN, the incredible facility of Tom Laune (Michael W. Smith, Shane and Shane, Chris Rice) who’ll also be mixing the record.
We still have to get my guitars recorded, electrics, keys and vocals but it’s already got me really excited. I think we’ll be incredibly proud of the finished result. As always, please pray that God will make somethin
Stay tuned to the blog for continued updates and info about the music.

The End of An Era

2007-03-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

After many faithful years and hundreds of thousands of miles, I will be saying good-bye to my green van (Jean Claude). It’s weird, but I am going to miss the little guy. As my new van sits in the driveway, I still feel a little loyalty to Jean Claude and he will always hold a place in my heart. Sort of like a dog, but one that drinks oil and smokes. The good news is that his ministry career is not over. Another ministry minded band, called One Foot Forward, who will use him to travel the country playing music, purchased Jean Claude.
I know he will serve them well, since he is a servant minded van, and a Christian.

Bon Voyage mi amigo...may your windshield see many miles and may you always stay between the ditches.

The Latest News from Camp Carl...

2007-03-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Good news people! Lots of cool things are coming down the pike from us here at international ministry headquarters. I am excited about the next 12 months as they promise to be the most productive in a while. Here is a little list of what’s cooking in the Pot O’ Ministry here @ International Ministry Headquarters in Nashville, TN

I just signed with Blair Artist Management. This is killer news because it means I have help with so many things that have fallen by the wayside. Praise God for BAM!

Look for a new CD out in late May or early June. It’s going to be one of the best ever because I am excited about the songs and what God is showing me.

I am writing my first book! It's a cookbook with creative recipes for presenting the Lord’s Supper. Not really. I am creating a resource for worship leaders to be spiritually equipped for their jobs...Am I serious? You bet I am. Some would say I’m not old enough or smart enough to write a book, but that’s what the enemy says to everyone who tries anything. I have to stop listening to those lies. Insecurity is such a sissy little attitude.

Inspire 08’! Our first annual worship conference to be held February 21-23, 2008. Worship leaders, songwriters and musicians, mark your calendar and check myspace.com/carlcartee and carlcartee.com for soon coming details!

Challenge

2007-03-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

Cracker Barrel. What a place. Good pancakes, of course, but since yesterday it will hold a different meaning for me. It will now be a reminder of something quite bigger than gift shops and pinto bean plates. It’s now the place where I was challenged to a fight. Called right out and asked to put up my dukes.
While having dinner with a friend, he told me that God had given him some words for me. He wanted to ask me about some things. This guy is one of my closest friends in the world and I trust him completely. If he has something to say to me, I listen. I invited him to speak freely, so he began. Challenging me, he asked questions that were hard to hear and even harder to answer. He asked questions about my life and where it was heading. How I planned to live the next few years and what were my God sized visions? Did I have objectives inspired by pure and uncorrupted faith, was I willing to stop making excuses and do what ever it takes to see them realized? Was I going to remain the same, or stretch toward greatness for the glory of God?
Boom...right upside the head. I won’t ever forget that moment. It’s one of the first times in my life someone has asked permission to say something to me and then deconstructed everything that I have been feeling for the last 10 months. It was unexpected, threatening, but so refreshing. “Don’t waste your life. Your anointing is too great and your ministry to valuable for you to rest on talent and personality alone. Get help and equip yourself to win. Fight against mediocrity. Fight against apathy, laziness and insincerity. Push yourself in faith, passion and purity. God is worthy of your best!”
Hebrews encourages us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Have you ever been spurred? It’s not meant to tickle. It hurts. It cuts. It’s uncomfortable. It sends a message that makes you want to jump into action so you don’t have to get it twice. But thank God for someone who obeys the Spirit and says the hard things to a dear friend. Thank God for one who sees potential greatness and calls it out of you.
Needless to say, I am accepting the challenge. I have let disappointment and fear hit me enough. I throw my hat in the ring. Bring on the destiny. Best shots welcome. Please pray for me. Cheer for me. I’m all in
If I see you at Cracker Barrel, watch out. I’ll be in a mood to fight.
More to come.

(Thanks buddy...)

An Update On Oak

2007-01-16T19:47:00.000-08:00

Many of you have asked about our son Oak who had skull surgery 6 weeks ago. In some previous posts, I chronicled the day by day progress from the hospital and the first week at home. Six weeks past surgery, Oak is doing great! He started crawling last week and now behaves as if he wants to crawl around the world. He’s everywhere and all of the sudden our house needs to be child proof. It’s not. Send help fast!
With the exception of a really cool scar and having to sleep in his car seat for five more weeks, I don’t think he even knows what happened. God has been so good to us and my mind is full of answered prayers for his recovery. From every indication the Mighty Oak is back to normal. We’ll have to see the doc every year until he’s seven to make sure things proceed properly but besides that, he’s good as new.
Thank God.

Dancing at Fellowship Bible

2007-01-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

I go to church a lot. I work at church and I grew up in a family that was faithful to attend church. I have seen a bunch of interesting stuff happen at church. Some say church is boring. I say hang around long enough...somebody will flip out soon enough. One such thing happened on New Year’s Eve @ Fellowship Bible, the place where the Cartee’s attend. (www.fellowshipnashville.org)
Oak was to be dedicated that Sunday along with 5 or 6 other babies so we had a lot of people in town to see the event. The baby dedication was after the first song and went off without so much as a tear from all the babies. They were great and every one was dedicated. We sit down and the worship band proceeds into their songs. Suddenly during a song called Your Grace Is Enough, the girl sitting in front of me and beside my in-laws, heads quickly out of her seat. “Where’s she going in such a hurry?” I asked myself. Seconds later she reappeared on the stage and starts dancing to the song. She’s tearing it up! She’s busting a move and doing a really good job. I got nervous. I immediately began looking for people’s reaction. What’s the worship leader going to do? I knew it was not supposed to happen as a component in the production schedule. What were my parents going to think? Did I want them to think I went to a dancing church? I went to a dancing church for the first eighteen years of my life or maybe it could be better described as a spinnin’ and floppin’ church...people just going nuts during all the fast worship songs. The issue at hand, is that Fellowship is not a dancing church. They are not averse to it and even have a church sponsored school of dance. However, it’s usually performed in a controlled context, with a spotlight and someone saying “Que dancers!” into a head set back stage. This was anything but that. It was totally unrehearsed and off the page.
So there I was going through all these “what ifs” and "oh no’s” when the Spirit says... “Stop focusing so much on yourself and worship me during this awesome song. Look at her, that’s what she’s doing. What people say or think about her expression of worship is the last thing on her mind. She is bringing her very best to me and that’s all she cares about. Her worship does not come with a comfort filter attached. It is wholehearted and humble, like David’s, my favorite kind.” Soon enough, I realized what I was seeing. It was one of the coolest acts of worship ever. It was graceful, unpretentious, unrehearsed but well done, Honest, joyful and pure. Once I got over myself, I recognized the most profound thing of all...the great humility it took to offer that kind of expression. Selfless and generous, she danced for the Lord. Obeying scripture in so many beautiful ways. My prayer for this new year is that I will worry less about what people think and more about humbly expressing worship to my Lord.
Dance more, worry less
Love,
Carl

Give Love This Christmas

2006-12-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about Christmas is a special Cartee family tradition. It’s very unusual, but this means as much to me as figgy pudding and Jingle Bells. It’s an annual proclamation. Given in the classiest style by my mother. She has faithfully announced this news every year of my life, since I started recording memories. Never once faltering, never once letting us down. It usually goes like this. “Gather round children, I have something to say. I don’t want you kids to be disappointed, but I’m really cutting back on Christmas gifts this year.”
I am from a normal middle class family. Not rich and even a little familiar with need from time to time. However, I am convinced that if my mother won the lottery and had billions, the compulsion to “cut back this year” would still be impossible to resist. It’s built into her. She must say it. Even now that my sister and I are grown, married and have children of our own, we still hear those predictable words. Karen (my sister) and I await them like two 5 year olds stalking Santa on Christmas Eve. We love it. Mainly because it creates more of the humor that adult children enjoy at the expense of their parents. I am sure Oak will observe funny things about me and I’ll reap the wrath of this blog later in life. Who cares? I would not have it any other way. I love my family and mom never keeps her word. She gives me all the socks and deoderant I can use in a life time and worries that I won’t be happy. However, being happy is not about the stuff. It never has been. The Christmas when I got the G.I. Joe Headquarters (tops of all Christmas presents) or the Christmas when nothing went right...nither one was defined not by the kind of presents but that I was with the people I love. So here’s a Christmas wish for you. Cut back, way back. Give your stuff away and hang on to every minute you can with the ones who mean the most to you. I don’t have my G.I. Joe headquarters anymore but I do have my family. One I could care less about, the other is my greatest possession.
Give Love and give all you can. Merry Christmas. CC

(the pic is... me, Karen, my grandfather and other grandkids)

fear takes up too much space...

2006-12-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

It turns out that being in the hospital is really expensive. Oak’s head surgery comes with this huge dollar amount attached. Even though we have health insurance it’s going to redefine “out of pocket expense”.

Just when I start to worry about stuff like that, last night happens. The 4th Avenue Church of Christ in Franklin, TN has me in for a concert. Not for any other reason than to bless me and take up an offering for Oak’s medical expenses.
We were honored with this huge out pouring of love and support from people who are just getting to know us. They prayed for us, cheered for the songs, loved on Heather and me and gushed over Oak. Each moment with the folks from that church was a reminder of God’s refreshing promise. “I will take care of you, worry is needless, fear takes up too much space in your imagination, I am the Lord your God, I do not slumber or sleep.”
God’s promise reinforced by his people... This is the church at it’s best. It’s refreshing, it’s liberating, It frees the mind to express courage and inspires the heart to love more openly. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone from 4th Ave.. For your generosity, kindness and especially your reinforcement of God’s truth. I am inspired to abandon worry and do what I was meant to do...live for the glory of our Great God.

Proverbs 11:25... “A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed”

Merry Christmas, CC

Home from the Hospital!

2006-12-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

We're so excited to report that we came home form the hospital yesterday. Exactly a week to the day of Oak's surgery, we were released. Oak is still doing well and continues to improve. He is really glad to be home. It was fascinating to see how his mood changed once he recognized familiar surroundings. He slept well last night and made us proud, getting in a stretch from 10PM to 7AM. Docs warned us that he would be pretty fussy the first few days home, but so far he's been easy to manage. Even with his first tooth popping through on the bottom, he's as laid back as a surfer. Especially considering he has a hole in his head. He is going to have to sleep in his car seat for a few months because any extended pressure on the sides of his head can cause a relaspe in his condition. He's always prefered sleeping on his belly, but that will be a "no no" for a while. Hopefully he'll get used to that. Right before he was discharged, Oak got a visit from the World Famous Rockettes. He kicked around for them and they were impressed. I, however, discouraged him from becoming a Rockette...not that there is anything wrong with that, but the fake eye lashes and sparkle suit might not match his scar. I think he really liked them, but not as much as he likes Mommy.
I can't be too thankful for all the prayers and support. The peace that Heather and I have had is so refreshing and built up by the words, prayers and actions of our friends. All of you have led me to worhsip through kindness, love and reminders of God faithfulness. Thanks so much for everything...blessings and Merry Christmas
Carl

Oak Update #2

2006-12-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

We're hanging in there and the little Oak is doing great. We have experienced a tangible peace through this process and it's powerful to encourage. Thanks for your prayers.
We moved into a normal room @ Children's Hospital today. All of Oak's iv lines and the fluid drain from his brain were removed. All good signs and the report from his doctors remains engouraging.

We will most likely be here till Wednesday. Blessings and merry Christmas.
Love,
Carl and Heather

Oak Update

2006-12-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

Hey friends,
thanks so much for all the prayers and concern for our son. He continues to do well with his recovery. To us he looks like he's been beaten to a pulp, but the Docs say that they are pleased with everything to this point. He had a few blood transfusions through the night but that was expected because of the large amount of blood loss with Oak's surgery. All our families went home today so we're diggin in here at the hospital taking turns going back home to rest. Once he is released from PICU, we'll both be able to stay at the hospital. It looks like Monday will be the day for getting a normal room. Prayer is making the difference in this situation. Heather and I are not afraid, we're not worried, we're experiencing a lot of peace and I know that only comes when others lift the burden. Thanks so much for sharing this with us...I'll keep you posted.
Love,
Carl

Oak's Surgery

2006-12-07T23:28:00.000-08:00

Greetings from chilly Nashville...
For those of you who have not heard yet, Heather and I went into the hospital with our son Oak yesterday to have a major surgery on his skull. He had a condition where the soft spots in his skull closed up too early creating potential for future complications.

Yesterday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Oak had surgery to have the fused places in his skull seperated. He is doing fine and doctors told us that his surgery looks like it will be a complete success. Many folks prayed for the little guy and God heard every prayer offered on his behalf. Mom and dad made it through fine too. Oak has a shaved head now in place of his once famous curly locks and a cool scar that goes from ear to ear across the top of his head. Chicks will dig this.

He is in the PICU right now and will have to stay there until all the swelling goes down in his face. He's looking pretty rough right now, (eyes swollen shut and very "puffy") but we have been told it's typical for this kind of surgery. After that we'll be moved to a normal room and will spend 3-4 more days there recovering.

It's going to be a long few days, but we'll make it and God has already been faithful in every need. We're staying @ Vanderbuilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN. Thanks so much for your prayers and there are more updates to follow.
Peace,
Carl

Another way to worship

2006-10-31T19:54:00.000-08:00

Make this receipe. Eat it and serve some to your friends. Glorify God by enjoying some great slaw, all in the name of Jesus. I had it at my church community group cook out. Janelle Pharis, presented this lovely treat and won the blue ribbon for best side dish. You too will be the hit of all your holiday parties. Whatever you do, even in eating and drinking, do it to the glory of God!

2 cups chopped cabbage
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 pkg ramen noodle soup mix, chicken flavor

Dressing:
1/4 cup oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
envelope of seasoning from ramen noodle package

Chop cabbage and green onion. Set aside. Combine oil, vinegar, sugar and seasoning and shake them together. Set aside. Mix sunflower seeds, almonds, crumbled up noodles with cabbage and green onions (do this right before serviing otherwise they will get moist) and pour dressing over the top and mix. Serve immediately.

The Escape of Melody

2006-10-09T19:43:00.000-07:00

“Hmmm”. (strums guitar) “Hummm”. (Strums guitar again) My brow furrows, audience members tense, butts shift in seats...waiting, aching for the tension to release. Longing for me to do something, anything but stand there drooling. Such was the scene at this great church in Fairfield, TX this weekend. (FBC wuz up!)

I was leading worship music for this Refreshment weekend for a church. A three night kind of thing, something like I do several weekends a month. I am pretty used to this kind of gig and usually do a pretty good job where they are concerned. Saturday night was pretty unique in it’s events however. I was confronted once again with my great ability to be self-centered and forget about Jesus’ great glory.

This night had been preceded by a chorus of people complimenting me on one of my songs that I had sung the night before. Many well meaning and nice people told me how blessed they were by the song. I like that. It makes me feel good when that happens. Too many times in the most subtle and internal way, I let those compliments get the best of my heart. I turn them into fuel for my ego instead of a boast in Jesus.

So I get up to sing again the second night of the event and I launch into my set in which I had planned to revisit my “hit song”. I thought the crowd would really like it and sing along even louder than before. “Me, Me, Me, I, I, I, I”. After a few minutes of music it came time in the set for me to play the song. So I hit the intro chord, open my mouth, and I can’t remember the melody. I mean I can’t even sniff it. It has left my memory bank with not one trace of existence. I usually remember melodies the very first time I hear/ write them and I always have really good recall of songs...until now. Not knowing what to do, I tried to sing the melody of the last song I just did with the lyric of the song I could not remember. Not good. It went from bad to William Hung. Finally, Chris Brush, my perc guy just whispered to move on to the next song.

Just like so many times before, God used the Holy Spirit and his Word to call to my attention to what was going on. I was turning a song about God into a stage for my own glory. I taking a gift and acting as if I was it’s creator. Psalm 84 came into view...”Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place...He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol or sworn by what is false.”

I just had to stop right there and admit what was going on. I had to soak in the humiliation. It was certainly good for me. Highly embarrassing and uncomfortable for all involved, but Jesus used it in my life as seeds for a lesson. Highlight him in everything you do. Make much of him and stop wasting moments on yourself. If you satisfy your self, do it on something that is truly enjoyable. Something eternal. Something fresh. Don’t make worship music and leadership a launch pad for your ego. It will be terrible. Every time.

enjoying the ride of the road...

2006-08-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

I've had some busy days lately. Playing on the same bill with Third Day and Steven Curtis Chapman on August 19th, heading to the Integrity Songwriters Retreat last week and finishing up the week playing @ Youth Fest 06' with Tammy Trent and Todd Agnew. I've had a lot of great things going on recently. I have been around a lot of people I'd like to impress...people I hope think I’m cool and that my music was their favorite. I know you're not supposed to say things like that on your blog and you're supposed to act all cynical and snotty, but I am just being real about my thoughts. In the midst of all these goings on, I heard a profound voice of reason. Don Moen, (worship leader, songwriter and President of Integrity Music) was speaking about being "edgy". He described a story about him sharing the stage with a very popular and edgy worship band. He was going on stage after them and wondered how he could change his style to make it seem cooler... in order to impress his fellow artists. He was tempted to become edgy like them. The Holy Spirit, at work in his life said, "you be you, and let me define edgy. I'll show you where the edge is." Don felt God was telling him to redefine edgy in spiritual terms and not to let a sound or style dictate the value in his ministry. So, instead of reshaping who he was for a moment, he obediently took the stage as himself. Not as an over hyped rock star with the latest sound... just as a guy named Don who plays and sings for a great Kingdom. He was a profound success, just as the band before him had been. In light of that, I have been trying to become edgy. Living in a way that takes me to the edge of faith. Going further into a place that I have never been in Christ. I am trying to let that define my ministry and songwriting. I’d love to be cool and hip, but not at the expense of who I am. Not if I’m required to abandon my identity in Christ. So, to all the edgy & cool people I am around form this point on... I love you and please excuse the huge dork who is asking to have his picture made with you. I am just trying to be me...

the boy teaches the old man...

2006-08-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

Oak is getting older, fast. He is growing and changing so much. He eats about every three hours and has put himself on a pretty predictable schedule; however, about 5 minutes before feedings, he starts crying for food. He gets worked up, kicks around, and makes out like he’s going to do something if he does not get to eat. But every time, right on schedule, Heather feeds him.
I was bringing him in to her the other day and he was having a melt down. It had been almost three hours since his last feeding and he was making sure our whole neighborhood knew it. Holding him up close to my face, I asked him, “Oak, what about these last few weeks would make you think Mom and I would not feed you? You don’t need to worry, just remember that every time, no matter what, Daddy is going to help you.” Oak had no comment on the matter because right after that I gave him to his mom. But just then, I felt the Father say to me, “Carl, what about me would ever make you think I would not feed you, hear you when you pray, meet your needs, give you dreams, bless your life, protect your family, mature your ministry, or save your kids? Have I ever failed you or have I ever failed the generations and generations before you? You are my son and I’m the King. I know how to take care of my son. Don’t worry.”
Just remember that no matter what is happening to make you have a melt down, if you call on Jesus, He listens and responds. I had forgotten that, but the Lord confirmed it with his word…
Matthew 7: 7-11 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Wish you were here

2006-07-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

We're chillin in good ole Boiling Springs, NC. Home of Crossroads summer camps and not much else. I used to live here, but have obviously gotten spoiled by the big city life in Nashvegas. I love getting to see some old and dear friends however. A few of which I consider to be the best I've ever had. Steven, Matt, Clayton, David and Brad. Nothing like some mighty men to inspire you to greater heights. Towns get boring over time...friends get better. I love my friends.

Our Son!!!!

2006-05-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 61:3 (the year of the Lords favor)
...They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

We are so blessed to announce to you the birth of our son!!!
Oak Edwin Cartee was born on May 8, 2006 at 10:51 AM, He was 8 lbs, 2. oz and 21 in. long. He and his mom are doing fine and we brought him home this afternoon. We're going to call him Oak. We love being parents and he is a very good boy.

My baby's Mama

2006-04-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the promised picture of Heather. Yes, I know she looks amazing but not only that, she's feeling great, getting our home ready to the arrival and doing 1,000 crunches a day. Ok that last one was a joke. But she is doing well. This pic is taken on the deck of International Ministry Headquarters, here in beautiful Nashville, TN. She is 37 weeks pregnant. Look for more when the little man is born. He's due May 8th!
Much Love,
CC

Back From Turkey..the trip in Pics

2006-01-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

Turkey #5

2006-01-06T01:29:00.000-08:00

Today is the last full day of our work here. we'll have a worhsip service tonight and then a send out in the morning. We'll be heading home Sunday to Nashville. Can't wait to tell you all about it. I promise I won't be "annoying, I just got back from a life changing trip, why are you not as happy as me person". I really miss all my boys and girls in the States. I am looking to write some good dongs after this joker is over. E-mails have been flooding in and we're collecting prizes for those who are responding. Have a good time and I'll be eager to see you all...
peace,
Carl

Turkey #4

2006-01-05T00:26:00.000-08:00

Amazing days here in the mid-east. God has been doing some stunning things in worship. These people we're working with are just cool. Not Fonz cool, but different cool. You have different perspective in worship when you can sing and dance w/o out fear. Fearless singing is some of the best kind. Fearless dancing, well that's just crazy. It is such an honor to be here and connect with the church from all over the world and to see what God is still doing for his glory. I want to be fearless too.
We're going shopping on Saturday so if you want me to get you a trinket or flying carpet, put in your request via e-mail soon.

throwing caution to the dogs,
Carl

Turkey #3

2006-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Day three, here in the big T...(I been waiting all week for that rhyme)
Anyway. WoW! what an unpredictable place this is. Not Turkey, the world. Once again, I ran into an old friend from my home town who is working in the field. I am so proud to know these people. Some of the world's most committed believers are here. People who embody "loving not their lives, even unto death". As far as I can tell, I am getting a look into what it means to "have faith". I wonder how much faith it takes to gripe about my name getting ommitted on songwriting credits. Some of these folks can't even allow their last names to be mentioned or their picture to be taken at all. Their faith makes it too dangerous for their loved ones. Something to think about. I love being around people who make me better...I love being around believers who's lives challenge me to believe.
We had a great worship service tonight with my old friend JD Greer speaking, even J. Welch friend and former band mate made the trip. The band is getting better and I'm making them laugh at my forgetful mind...the Lord is working...thanks for praying.

Carl Cartee
The Band...
(L to R Dustin Rohrer, Chris Stephens, {CC Deville} and Thom Rayner)
Brooks Abbot is the sound man

Turkey #2

2006-01-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Hey People! It’s Day 2 from fabulous Turkey.
My dream was made a reality today when in the retreat center cafeteria, I was served a turkey leg. A turkey leg in Turkey…could life get better? I submit that it cannot.
I was rehearsing with my band all day today. Guys who took off work and made the trip over to help out Heather and me with the music. We’d never played together, with the exception of Dustin Rohrer, who was a former member of the Summer Worship Experience. Gear here is pretty rough by US standards. I’m such a spoiled brat…but just when I start to think about getting frustrated, I remember 1 Samuel 17 and David’s fight with a giant. He had the most out dated and inferior equipment that there was. Literal toys compared to the sword and spear of the giant. God’s word for me was to enjoy the weakness of the equipment and embrace the opportunity to see him work. Sometimes, I rely on good gear to win a battle, but the battle belongs to the Lord and I am being reminded of that every moment I’m here. Please pray for me as I have lost my guitar strap and I have a very bad in-grown fingernail on my left middle finger. It Sounds funny, but it hurts real bad. Heather is doing well but is having some swelling in the legs due to too much walking…I am being sure to make her take it easy. She’s having my son!
Be back tomorrow,
Love,
Carl

Turkey #1

2006-01-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hey folks,
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. We arrived safely in Turkey after over 30 hours of flying, waiting, flying and more flying. I am so eager to see what the Master is going to do. Security is a big issue here, so I’ll keep it shady on the terms. But with that in mind, amazing things are happening in the Spirit. I know that we’re here for a reason. One of the coolest things is that we ran into a guy who we went to college with who serves in this region. He and his wife are up on our fridge and we pray for them when we’re getting milk. I had not seen them in years and here they are all the way around the world in Turkey. Amazing. He shared stories with me of phone taps and privacy invasion and suddenly I got a good and clear picture of what it means to give your life away.
This morning we went and had an amazing service in a 2000-year-old stadium (think roman style gladiator thing). The service was opened with a trumpet duet of A mighty fortress is our God. It was stunning to hear the melody proclaimed all over the hills and surrounding area. All the people we’re here for arrive tomorrow and the real work begins.
Keep us in mind when you can…I’ll be back tomorrow to give more updates and reports. I have strong feelings that His glory is about to be revealed.
love,
Carl

October 21, 2005...

2005-10-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a copy of the Spring Hill Worhsip press release...
Spring Hill Worship Signs New Artist

Worship Leader Carl Cartee Signs Exclusive Agreement with Worship Label

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--October 11 th, 2005-Spring Hill Worship, an imprint of Spring Hill Music Group, Inc., has just signed an exclusive recording agreement with singer/songwriter/worship leader Carl Cartee. Cartee, who has traveled for over a decade as a concert
performer, worship leader and worship mentor, is slated to release his debut recording, Unfailing, with Spring Hill Worship in March
of 2006.

Cartee's talents have been heard nationally over the past year through his writing and vocal features on other Spring Hill Worship projects
including Songs from the Bennett House, The Rocks Cry Out and The Glorious Impossible recordings. His vocals have been
playing over the airwaves on the Top 30 radio single "My Offering" as well as on the current single "Unfailing Love," now playing at
Inspirational and adult contemporary stations nationwide.

Carl states, "I used to love being a bachelor, until I met my wife...being on a team is much better. I enjoyed being an indie artist until I

hooked up with Spring Hill Worship. Now I feel like I have someone to take the field with me. I can't wait to see what immeasurable

things God will do with our collective faith."

Cartee is known for his rock-inspired guitar playing, his laid-back on stage approach and rasp-tinged driving lead vocals. In addition to a
degree in music, Carl has served as a church worship leader himself but now travels full-time in addition to his songwriting. His touring,
which often includes youth and college student camps, has taken him to France, Brazil, India and Africa in addition to the United States
when he's not at his home in Nashville, Tenn.

"We at Spring Hill Worship feel very honored to be associated with the music ministry of Carl Cartee," stated Spring Hill Worship A&R director Phil Johnson. "People love to actually sing Carl's music almost as much as they like hearing him sing it. The interesting thing about Carl is that he, as a person, is just like his music, full of integrity and substance."

Cartee was a recent guest on the international radio program "Soul2Soul"; and many of his songs featured on the
Spring Hill Worship line are being performed by worship teams nationwide, including the title cut from the new release The Glorious Impossible. He founded the Summer Worship Experience, an intern program designed to train college-age
musicians and vocalists to lead worship. In November, Cartee will play alongside veteran performer/songwriter Scott Krippayne and acclaimed powerhouse vocalist Charity Von in Jekyll Island, Ga., at a WAY FM listener appreciation
event.

Unfailing will be distributed by Word Distribution/WEA with digital distribution by EMI CMG Distribution. For further
information, visit www.springhillworship.com or www.carlcartee.com .

Spring Hill Worship is a line of worship products created specifically for the desires and nees of today's church and
church leaders with an emphasis on creating new copyrights for the church. It features songs crafted by leading
worship writers and introduces up-and-coming worship leaders of today.

###

Photo: (Back row, L-R) Spring Hill Worship's (SHW) A&R Director Phil Johnson, SHW's COO and CFO David Robinson and SHW's Director of Publishing Joe Beck welcome worship leader/singer/songwriter Carl Cartee (seated) to his new home
at Spring Hill Worship.

October 20, 2005

2005-10-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you about this record that I'm on. It's called "The Glorious Impossible". I am so proud of this record and I want you to know it's just full of songs you can use in worship for your church. A lot of you asked me about the song "Honestly" that I sang a lot this summer. That song is on this record. Although I wrote on this song, I am not the guy singing it on the record. The guy I wrote it with however, Elias Dummer, is singing it and does a great job. You can get this CD at any Christian music store or online. www.springhillworship.com. I have 2 songs on it that I am singing and I wrote on 6 total. I just think it would be something that helps point you to Jesus and we all need a little bit of that today. When you buy it, let me know what you think about it.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

2005-09-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

I had an incredible time down in Mississippi helping out with my church and the hurricane relief efforts. It's hard to evaluate how much damage was done with words and pictures. The toll on hearts is hard to see but just as devastating. The whole place just looked like a junkyard, nothing but useless stuff for miles. I had an amazing opportunity to serve at Bay Vista Baptist Church in Biloxi. For the first time in a long time I was working at a church, but not wearing a guitar and standing in front of a microphone. Instead, I was wearing work gloves and unloading trucks of supplies for about 15 hours a day. Busting my tail, I might add. There was a steady stream of tractor-trailers coming in from all over the country full of everything you need to survive. It fell to me and a few other dudes to unload it all. What a great thrill it was to build the Kingdom and refresh my soul. The church became a massive relief center distributing food to people who came by in a drive-thru type help center. The view from where I was humbled me and reminded me that being the “on-stage guy” is not always where the Lord wants me. Thank God for the ways he teaches us and the ways he loves us.

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

2005-09-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write and share an update with you about the previous journal entry (July 30). I had a lot of response from that one and just recently heard some new developments about the song. My song that was previously "rejected" for controversial content, has now been accepted. Funny how the Lord works things out, but one of the greatest songwriters of the modern era just recorded the song Gloruous Impossible. My friends at Spring Hill Worship shared with me that Bill Gaither (Because He Lives, He Touched Me) recorded the song along with the Gaither Vocal Band. It should appear on their next record. I was told that he not only cut the song, but really likes it and thinks it's special. What a huge honor to have a writer who has been connecting with the church for over 40 years, think so much of a song that they choose it for their own record. I love it and thankyou Jesus. To make better sense of this entry, read July 30th's entry. Keep defending the truth...love, carl

Saturday, July 30, 2005

2005-07-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

I write this not as a disgruntled songwriter, but as a zealous Christian.
The company that I write for, Spring Hill Worship, had absolutely nothing to do with the song evaluation mentioned in this entry.
As a professional writer, a big part of my work involves placing my songs on a whipping post to see if they stand up to the scrutiny of my peers and employers. I realize that every song I write is not the next big hit and some in fact, are complete misses. Learning to take rejection comes easier with practice. Most criticisms I get have to do with a song’s commercial value… “will a lot of people like this?” Some work, some don’t, but in all of them I pray that two things hold true. That God would anoint the song to draw people to Him and that every lyric is Biblically sound. If I can get that done, I’m happy, commercial or not. There are days however when commercialism and political correctness bleeds over onto song evaluations and the light on the hill grows a little dim. Today that happened…in-fact, as far as I am concerned, we had a total black out. Consider the following lines…
“See the virgin is delivered, in a cold and crowded stall
Mirror of the Father’s glory, lies beside her in the straw
He is mercies incarnation, marvel at this miracle
For the virgin gently holds the glorious impossible”
“The Glorious Impossible”. I wrote this song with two great writers, Joe Beck and Wendy Wills. Our company submitted this song to a magazine, for worship leaders, to be included on a CD the publication produces. The CD is a companion to the magazine and designed to help churches discover new and emerging songs for worship. It goes out to over 20,000 worship leaders each quarter of the year (you figure out which magazine). The songs are submitted and then reviewed by a panel to make sure they’re appropriate. After our song was reviewed, it came back rejected and taken off of the CD. No problem. What makes this a very big deal, is the reason it was yanked. It was a bad song or poor recording, it was not a bunch of drivel that could as easily be about your girlfriend as Jesus. It was based on the Bible. People, who work on a panel for determining quality and lyrical content in worship songs, pulled the tune because of the reference to the Virgin Birth. The Virgin Birth. Am I taking crazy pills here? My “Christian” song gets the snub because it mentions the Virgin Birth? That’s like giving Lance Armstrong the snub because he likes bicycles. They’re a big part of what he’s about. They are an essential part of his identity and achievement. The Virgin Birth of Jesus is central to the entire faith of Christianity! Hello? How is that offensive? Christians not only believe Jesus was born of a virgin and conceived by the Holy Spirit, but we’re into it! We think it’s awesome and that it highlights the dual nature of our Savior. It displays from the very instant of his entry to this planet that he was God and Man. It calls attention to the purity of Christ and highlights that he was the seed of perfect God, not sinful man. It was a miracle. It is a foundational belief of ancient Christianity and included in numerous creeds of the Christian faith. We’re not talking about wether or not you can cut your grass on Sunday or if your mom should be a deaconess. Who cares? Go fight that out at some convention, but don’t diminish God’s great and glorious plan of redemption by dressing it up in a sleazy politically correct costume.
My rant will soon draw to a close, but not before I take my stand. The Church has suffered long enough with cowards and sissies who worry that the Gospel is offensive. Offended? Good. I’m not worried nearly as much about offense as I am about highlighting Jesus and his great love for mankind, His great humility in submitting to human flesh, entering the womb of a teenager and making the way of redemption. I pray that every artist, songwriter and worship leader who reads this will go out and create something beautiful that highlights the gloriously impossible work that Jesus accomplished. Make music that calls attention to Jesus, to his miracles, to his birth, death, and resurrection… if it’s commercial, fine. If it’s not, fine too. But what ever it is, make sure it’s truthful and full of a passion…and never, never, allowing your mind or art to be stripped of conviction and truth.
I love you…Carl Cartee (Matt:6:33)

Monday, July 18, 2005

2005-07-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

Walking outside feels like wrapping up in a blanket, fresh out of the dryer. It's hot...7th circle of hell hot. Fortunately, this is as close as I am capable of getting to hell, and I'm grateful. Heat in NC is big time, I had forgotten. Anyway, weather is not what I want to write about. everyone talks about it and there are tons of people who could do a better job than me on the subject. The Summer has been going great...leading worship every night and tossing the frisbee durning the day (play ultimate). We wrap things up on the 21st and head back to the Nashville. I am looking forward to resting in my own bed and eating at Judge Bean's BBQ. I always come to this place when I am wrapping up a long summer and here I am again...how do I finish as strong as I started. I want to finish well. I want to finish as a winner. This tour and my life. Noting counts as much as how you finish. People remember the finish and the finish is what defines a person. Daily decisions are what define a person. Here's hoping to be a real old man with a great track record

Thursday, May 26, 2005

2005-05-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

Summer time is here and I'm always finding myself pre-occupied. Tomorrow I leave for our annual "summer camp worship leading run". We'll be leading worship for seven camp events and various other concerts. We'll cram all that into about 7 weeks and cram all our band into our van (The Mystery Machine) My mind is concerned about many things, where we're going, how will it work, who will be there, will they like our music. So many things try to compete for my attention, but then I am reminded by a song one of my good friends wrote..."I'm under the impression that it's all for me". When God called me into this it was not so I could become famous but rather use what I have to point people to Jesus and reflect the glory of God. I am supposed to be a worshipper and nothing else. Not a rock star, not a famous songwriter, not a guitar player, a worrier or a fixer. I do a bad job at all those things, but what I can do, is what I was made to do...worship God. I want to have the best summer of our ministry, but the only way I'll get that done is to lay down all of these things I try to be and start being who I am.

Friday, April 29, 2005

2005-04-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to do something the right way, have the most maturity and integrity possible and then, for whatever reason, the whole thing back fires on you? I had one of those weeks. Being a guy who wants everyone to like me and think I'm nice, has worked well up till this point. When things happen, beyond my control, to make people not like or distrust me, it gets the best of my emotions. These are the days of my life here in "Nash Angelos". In all this, I am once again going through the Holy Spirit School of Following Jesus. When, in your heart, you're being honest to yourself, listen and be confident in that. Jesus must have constantly had his motives challenged and his intent called into question. His whole life and public ministry was a huge target for critiscism and ridicule. He was the only sinless person to ever live, getting it right every time, and still there were those who thought his motives were not pure. I am being refined and sharpened through this time in my own ministry. I worry too much about what people think of me. I look for their approval even at the cost of my own sense of doing what is right. I'm learning that I must rush toward the Master and try my best to fall on his example. I cannot win in both worlds. There will come days when my Spirit life trumps my earthly life and I have to let God worry about the out come. Doing right in the sight of the Lord has to be enough, even when it does not jive with the world. Paul even says to Timothy that those who desire to live a Godly life will be persecuted. I don't think this is any where near persecution on a legitimate scale, but it does make me realise that doing what is right does not always get a happy out come. If people mis-interpret things or don't agree with an out come, I cannot make this my problem. My job is not to police what other people's feelings, but to trust and obey the Holy Spirit. The words and opinions of men do not validate or affirm my character. The Holy Spirit does. He is my measure of validation and correctness. So there is a little bit of what I'm hearing from the Lord today. Maybe not the most thrilling of Journal entries, but I know I feel a lot better. Thank you Jesus.

Saturday, January 22, 2005

2005-01-22T18:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of those days when I got a really big surprise. Unfortunately, it was not the kind of thing I was excited about. The surprise was, that things were going down that affected me but it went on for a while without me knowing, and then, boom-shaka-laka!, guess what you got some stuff you need to handle. When I was talking about all this stuff with my friends, it turned out that all of them had sort of had the same kind of day. Bad news, broken cars and failing plans. I was so amazed to hear their perspective. "Hey, blessed be the name of the Lord" is all they said. God has blessed me to by connecting me with people who know him intimately. That little reminder snapped me back to a place of rememberance. What ever happens on this earth is of no consequence to the believer. It does not matter, in the long term, what kind of day we have. Good or bad, glorious or gut wrenching, we are secure. We are safe. We have hope. We know Jesus. Blessed be the name of the Lord. "What can man do to me?" No matter how my little situation turns out, I know how I've got to react. Knowing that God is still working out his glorious purpose in my life and my only response is to worship and believe. (stepping into karate stance) "hai-yah!"

Saturday, January 8, 2005

2005-01-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

I got my picture made today for the new record cover and promo stuff. That has got to be one of the most awkward feelings I've ever had. Look at a camera and hold still while it records time. "Don't blink while I flash blinding bright white light into your eyes". "Oh you blinked, I'll have to do it again." I always blink. I'll keep everyone in the loop on progress and an official release date. I know it's going to be some time in April. I had a great time during a visit from my good friend and fellow worship leader, Lee McDerment. Lee leads worship at one of the most happening churches in the US...New Spring Community Church in Anderson, SC. If you live in upstate SC, near Clemson University, you should check it out...Lee's band and worship team are simply some of the best around. We wrote a killer song during the visit, that'll put up in music when I can get it mixed.

Wednesday, December 12, 2004

2004-12-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas...I'm so excited about the season. Heather and I are always thrilled to put up the tree and crank out the Christmas Music. I was reading this scripture this morning, and thought it was perfect for the time of year. The Bible always reminds us where we need to be and where we need to focus our attention. Read these words of Jesus and bless him with a gift this season. Make sure you look out as much as you look in. Merry Christmas.
When Christ comes to reign as king on His glorious throne, He will say to the sheep on His right hand, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me." Then the righteous will answer Him, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?" And the King will answer and say to them, "I tell you the truth, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:31, 34-40)

August 12, 2004

2004-08-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to me!!!! August 8th was my birthday. I live for birthdays. Literally. Here's the haul... From Heather: Nice framed wall arrangement of my CD "First". (Made available for you on this website under merch) I look professional now. A Party and an Incredible Hulk Cake. First rate, not on South Beach however. From My Friends Brock and Ani Gill : A creepy guy, in a bath robe, no shirt, at my front door who played a tape of them singing Happy Birthday. They were on the road and sent him in their place. He said nothing, played the tape and walked away. Stellar. Starbucks gift card from Rod and Susan..A+!
Lowe's card from my Outlaws..Clutch, as usual. Roman Candle CD from my great friend Jason. If you don't have the CD, www.romancandlemusic.com, order "says pop"...magical lyrics, great pop melodies. One of my favorite discs of all time. Cash from my folks, golf clubs and a Nashville visit. A very campy Nashville t-shirt from J. Welch. Finally, many fine folks from around the world calling to wish me well on the day that I was born. Ain't it great? Please send all cards and gifts to Carl Cartee PO Box 112001 nashville,tn 37222
see you soon.

Wednesday Aug. 4, 2004

2004-08-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Howdy there you wonderful, little, journal reader. I oft wonder why this is called the journal and not "read Carl's private thoughts". I have another journal that's full of stuff I think about, but it's all on paper and even has drawings. I like pictures and try to make the whole presentation interesting. I am a little crazy, but sometimes I write in there thinking about the time when others will read it after I die. That sounds a little morbid, but it ain't all bad to write with the end in mind.
If it's on paper or just in the memories you leave, your life is a journal. A weathered, old, well used record of who you were, how you thought and what was important to you. Every page is filled with the work of your hands, the gifts of your heart and the names of lives you changed. For better or worse and good or bad, like it or not, your journal is on display for the whole world to see. They can read it every day, see it behind your eyes and for most of us it might as well be put up on the internet. Jesus said in Luke that from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. A man produces good out of the good things stored up in his heart and bad out of the bad things stored up in his heart." Think about that and ask God to fill your heart.
It's no secret that one of my uncles was a notorious person, with numerous jail terms accenting a life of crime and corruption. I was present at the rainy, grave side funeral where I heard the preacher speak these words. "This man has already preached his funeral with the way he lived. Now what are you going to do with the rest of your life. What are you going to do about Jesus?"
Think about it. How does your journal read. What kind of funeral are you preaching?

peace and joy, Carl

carlcartee.com blog

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Turkey #2

Turkey #1

October 21, 2005...￼

October 20, 2005

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Monday, July 18, 2005

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Friday, April 29, 2005

Saturday, January 22, 2005

October 21, 2005...